1. Obituaries – A Tribute to the Dead
There are two aspects of an obituary, one is by definition and the other is by emotion.
Both are true and relevant in today’s world. One is the harsh black and white figures in a
newspaper or website and the other is a reflection of the pain and suffering that one
goes through on the death of a near and dear person. One is dependent on facts, the
other is on factors that cannot be explained in words; it is purely a matter of the heart.
Both are important; one to the world, the other to the inner self.
By definition, an obituary gives the facts about an individual’s life, details of which can
be seen in the Obituaries in San Francisco CA column of all newspapers. This includes
his date of birth and death, details of the family members who are mourning him and a
brief write up on what he meant to them. It is usually a sentimental piece, not of great
length but enough to express the feelings of each. The utility of the written obituary is
that it helps to spread the news of death. Those who are deeply affected and in
mourning will hardly get the time or have the inclination to contact everybody to convey
the news of death. Moreover, there might be a lot of persons known or close to the
deceased but unknown to his relatives. A printed obituary will reach out to all at once.
Many funeral parlors publish the obituaries of the dead on their websites for whom they
have conducted funeral services. It is a way to acknowledge those with whom they have
been associated, even if it is after death. In today’s electronic world, this is widely
followed and the obituary consequently reaches out to a wide circle of acquaintances.
However, before putting it on the site, permission is taken from the families to avoid any
complications later.
Going through any California obituaries, one can easily discern the sadness and pathos
and the deep sense of loss inherent in the end of a life. This is the emotional side of
obituaries. This is where, in rare gestures, the sadness and tears of the heart are bared
to total strangers and the old and the young come together to mourn the passing away
of a loved one whom we wish were immortal.
Sullivan’s Funeral Home, a funeral parlor of repute in San Francisco, has a web page for
obituaries. The data of the dead for whom they conduct funeral services are published
there. This is with prior permission of the relatives of the dead. For more information,
visit www.sullivansfh.com.